THE STORY OF THE HYMNS AND THEIR WRITERS 55
The Rev. Henry Moore says : Numberless examples might be given of the genius and taste of the Rev. Charles Wesley. But, however unfashionable it may appear, I cannot but give the palm to his " Family Hymn-book." Such accumulated strength and beauty of expression, in presenting the daily wants, pains, trials, and embarrassments of a family to the God of the families of the whole earth, surely never before was presented to the suffering children of men. It seems as if he had, after he became a domestic man, noted every want that flesh is heir to within that circle, and that his one desire was to elevate and direct the subjects of the curse to that only remedy which turns all into blessing. We expect a man of real genius to be great where the subject is inspiring ; but to be great in the privacies of common life, to be a true poet (while the man of God equally appears) in those littlenesses, so called, of daily occurrence, shows an elevation and spirituality of mind that has been rarely, if ever, equalled. A shrewd judge of human nature has said that no man ever appeared great in the eyes of his valet. Charles Wesley was as great in the eyes of the retired partners of his domestic joys and sorrows, as in the schools of philosophy and the arts, or the dangers and toils of the field in which he entreated sinners to be reconciled unto God. Life of Wesley, ii. 371.
Thomas Jackson (Life of C. Wesley, ii. 237) says, No person of a pure mind can read this volume without loving its author. In admiration of the man, the poet is forgotten. The affectionate husband, the yearning father, the warm-hearted friend, the meek, submissive, praying, trusting, grateful Christian, is here seen in all his loveliness and glory ; though nothing could be further from his thoughts than an exhibition of himself. His only design in publishing the workings of his own heart was to assist Christian families, in all the affairs of life, devoutly to recognize the providence and grace of God.
��Hymn 19. Now thank we all our God.
MARTIN RINKART ; translated by Miss WINKWORTH.
Nun danket alle Gott, based on Ecclus. i. 22-24, an( l the third verse of the Gloria Patri, appeared, with its music, in Criiger s Praxis, 1648, and probably in Jesu Herlz-Biichlcin, 1636. Miss Winkworth s translation is from her Lyra Germanica, 2nd Series, 1858.
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